Benefits of Green Tea: Does It Work For Weight Loss?

Green tea has been a popular drink for decades in East Asia. But it's quite recently been acknowledged in the western countries too.

People don’t just drink green tea because of the great taste. In fact, the main reason it's so popular, is because studies have shown it improves the health of almost every organ in your body!

But that's not all; there's enough evidence to suggest it can help you achieve your dream 6 pack or bikini body...If you are looking for a drink with benefits, look no further than green tea.

In this article, you'll learn:

What Is Green Tea?

Benefits of Green Tea

Promotes Fat Loss: How It Works

Side Effects?

Conclusion

What is Green Tea?

Green tea is part of the 'Camellia Sinensis' plant species

Green tea and black tea both have the same roots...or in the case of tea, leaves; Camellia Sinensis is a plant species that has its leaves gathered to make several teas.

It produces black tea, green tea, and oolong tea. For green tea, these leaves are harvested and dried. This changes the leaves to a brownish color and is performed by either pan firing or steaming. The drying of the leave prevents oxidation and helps to ensure that your tea brews properly.

Been used for decades & most commonly found in Asia

Camellia Sinensis can be found around the world. Some of the most popular locations to find it are: China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka & Taiwan.

So as you can see, it's been popular in East Asian countries for much longer than western countries.

Ultimately, green tea can be grown in pretty much any country around the world - which is why you can find it pretty much anywhere now, even coffee loving stores such as Starbucks!

But what you're really here for is this; to learn how green tea will improve your physique and give you that 'kick' on your fitness journey. So we'll explain below...

Benefits of Green Tea

We could sit here all day talking about what Green Tea is. But let's be honest here; you're only interested in learning how it can benefit you.

So we'll bullet point Green Tea's benefits below and then expand on these benefits further down; so you can skim to which ones you find the most interesting:

Here's how Green Tea improves your fitness journey:

No jittery feelings or anxiety

Packed with antioxidants

Reduces bad cholesterol levels

Possible: Lower risk of type II diabetes

Promotes Fat Loss

No Jitters or Anxiety

Green tea contains caffeine as an active ingredient. Caffeine is the same ingredient that gives you energy from coffee.

The amount of caffeine in green tea is less than that of coffee. This allows you to get the extra energy and brain power that you need to get throughout your day.

L-Theanine proven to reduce jitters and side effects

While you might experience side effects such as 'jitters' with caffeinated products - you won't when drinking Green Tea.

Why? Because Green Tea contains L-Theanine; an amino acid that is contained inside the leaves.

L-Theanine is good for your health in general as it helps to promote brain health and function. Not only that; this amino acid also helps to increase GABA (a neurotransmitter in the brain) which reduces the anxiety that you can feel on a day to day basis.

Green Tea activates dopamine

But that's not all either; Green Tea also activates the neurotransmitter called 'Dopamine'. In case you're unaware - dopamine is responsible for your happiness and also reduces the anxiety that you may feel.

Let's put it this way - one of the many functions of dopamine as a neurotransmitter is to stimulate pleasure in the brain. In fact, we're sure that Snoop Dogg will back us up on this one.

Packed with Antioxidants

Cancer is a terrible word to have to hear in your life. While it may not be currently possible to completely stop cancer as an affliction across the world, it is possible to reduce your chances. Drinking green tea has been shown in studies to reduce your chances of getting cancer. The antioxidants that are jam packed into a small amount of green tea can reduce prostate cancer risks by up to 48% and colorectal cancer chances by 57%. These antioxidants can also reduce the risk of other types of cancer.

It is important to note that adding milk to green tea or drinking milk with your supplement will reduce the effectiveness of the antioxidants.

Reduces Bad Cholesterol Levels

Supplements that contain green tea have been taken for years by people who are suffering from high cholesterol problems. The carious nutrients combined with the antioxidants that are found in the green tea are able to combat the 'bad' cholesterol levels called LDL.

Those who take a green tea supplement or drink green tea have also been shown to have a higher level of the 'good' cholesterol in their system, also known as HDL.

Reduced Chances Of Blocked Arteries

Arteries that carry blood to and from the heart and around your body are crucial to the proper function of your body and when these arteries get blocked you can find yourself having major medical side effects. Based on population studies, scientists believe that those who take green tea regularly or those that drink it regularly have a reduced chance of artery blockage.

Men have been found to have better results from green tea than women; however, this is still up for further study.

Possible: Lower Risk Of Type II Diabetes

Green tea and supplements that contain green tea leaves have been found to help reduce the risk for type two diabetes.

Studies have shown that those who drink green tea (or take it) are less likely to develop type II diabetes than those without it as part of their diet.

Decreases blood pressure & blood sugar levels

How? Answer: It does this by helping to keep your cholesterol under control and decreasing blood pressure & blood sugar levels.

But we won't lie to you; this benefit needs some more evidence. However, what's certain is that Green Tea can promote fat loss (which we'll expand on below).

Promotes Fat Loss - How It Works

Alright, so you've heard us talk about how beneficial Green Tea is. But you're probably sat there thinking 'but how does it improve my physique or figure?!".

Well, don't worry - we'll tell exactly how below...

Green Tea is a great thermogenic herb & raises your metabolism

Simply put, the reason why Green Tea helps you burn more fat, is because it contains high amounts of catechins. This is directly responsible for boosting your metabolism (which helps you burn more calories, and therefore body fat).

Ultimately, this is exactly why Green Tea is considered as one of the best thermogenic herbs available.

Side Effects?

You'll be glad to hear that Green Tea hasn't been reported to cause any side effects. But remember to consume this in moderation - too much caffeine will cause anyone jitters and energy crashes.

Fortunately, Green Tea Extract contains very little caffeine when added to supplements - so this ingredient comes with almost zero chance of causing side effects.

As we mentioned, green tea comes with a very low chance of causing jitters and anxiety. But we don't take any chances; you should stick to a guideline of under 100mg per capsule in fat burner supplements, or serving in tea or coffee.

Conclusion

Green tea and green tea supplements can really kickstart your metabolism and help you lose that stubborn fat - ultimately helping you lose weight faster and more efficiently.

And quite honestly, you can't argue with the science behind this herb; almost every study has concluded that Green Tea works.

Summary: How Does It Work?

Simply put, the catechins and caffeine in green tea help to give your body extra energy to burn caffeine. These same nutrients are used by your body to give you extra energy to exercise (raising your metabolism and helping you lose weight).

The positive mood lifts from the caffeine and dopamine doesn’t hurt either; this helps to motivate you through your workout and get you into the gym in the first place!

Where's The Proof?

As we've already mentioned; Green Tea's benefits have been backed up in numerous studies. In fact, it's such common knowledge that you'll probably see many people drinking Green Tea or taking supplements containing this herb on a daily basis.

One research study found this; those who drank green tea over a 12 week period lost 5 to 7 pounds more than those who didn’t drink green tea.

However, we're not saying that green tea is a 'miracle herb'. You need to know that by itself will not make you lose weight. You need to combine it with a healthy diet and exercise.

Bottom Line

Green tea supplements can be a very helpful part of anyone’s daily diet. They have a variety of helpful benefits and can be combined with a cup of tea per day to help give you an extra boost to those benefits.

If you want to be healthier, you should consider including green tea or a green tea supplement in your daily life. And you'll be sure to experience a boost in your metabolism (which will help you reach your fitness goals faster.

But as we mentioned, make sure to follow a clean diet and keep fit by exercising too. Remember that Green Tea isn't a 'miracle herb' - but all the studies prove that it's beneficial.